Fluid flow device



Oct. 4, 1966 H. E. RICHTER FLUID FLOW DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 5, 1964 m e N 0 R W A L Am 6M Y 5% i V 1 H \NW W Oct. 4, 1966 H. E. RICHTER FLUID FLOW DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5, 1964 INVENTOR #41? VEY 5 Ho /nave BY W a? ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,276,382 FLUID FLOW DEVICE Harvey E. Richter, Vero Beach, Fla. (2615 Lake Drive, Riviera Beach, Fla.) Filed Mar. 5, 1964, Ser. No. 349,638 14 Claims. (Cl. 103-87) This invention relates to fluid flow devices, and more particularly to axial flow type pumps.

Axial flow pumps have been well known in the prior art and have been found to be particularly eflective in many applications in pumping fluids efficiently. Normally, such pumps generally consist of a fiuid passageway having at least one prime mover means defining a set of impeller blades mounted in the passageway, which are rotated for propelling the fluid therethrough. One of the principal advantages of such pumps is that the flow of fluid through the pump is neither restricted nor diverted, which thus reduces the amount of work applied to the fluid during the pumping operation. Such conventional pumps, however, still provide a relatively low efliciency, often due to the considerable back pressure developed on the pressure side of the prime mover means. This back pressure in the line requires additional work energy to be applied to the prime mover means, which accordingly reduces the etficiency of the pump.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved axial flow type pump.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved axial fiow pump having an increased efliciency relative to comparative conventional pumps.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved axial flow pump, wherein the back pressure on the prime mover means is substantially reduced.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved axial flow pump which will not become clogged by foreign matter carried by the fluid being pumped.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved axial flow pump having first and second prime mover means, wherein the second prime mover means reacts to eliminate the back pressure on the first prime mover means.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved axial flow pump having first and second prime mover means wherein such mover means react relative to each other on the fluid being pumped, to produce higher discharge volumes and pressures in comparison to similar conventional pumps.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel axial flow pump which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to assemble and disassemble.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those persons skilled in the art, from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an end view of a first embodiment of the invention, having portions thereof broken away;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 22 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention; and

FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic view of the invention illustrating the effect of the first and second prime mover means on the fluid being pumped.

In accordance with the broad aspects of the present invention there is provided a fluid flow device generally comprising a fluid passage means, a first prime mover defining a first set of impeller blades rotatably mounted in the passage means and a second prime mover means 3,276,382 Patented Oct. 4, 1966 defining a second set of impeller blades rotatably mounted in the passage means and spaced from the first prime mover means at a distance in phase relative to the swirling fluid flow emanating from the first prime mover means. The impeller blades in the second prime mover means are pitched oppositely and have a greater pitch relative to the impeller blades of the first prime mover means. Additional drive means are provided for rotating the two sets of blades of the mover means in opposite directions synchronously.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is illustrated a first embodiment of the invention. Specifically, the embodiment provides a housing 10, having a pair of parallel side walls 11 and 12 formed integral with an arcuate bottom wall 13, a pair of parallel end walls 14 and 15 and a top wall 16 which is secured to the end walls by means of a plurality of bolts 17, and which also is provided with an upwardly extending hub portion 18. Adapted to be secured to the end Walls 14 and 15 is a supply conduit 19 and a discharge conduit 23, which are generally circular in cross-section, and which are aligned with a pair of axially aligned circular openings 21 and 22 in the end walls 14 and 15, respectively. Within the housing there is provided a pair of stationary collars 23 and 24 which are spaced from the side and bottom walls of the housing and rigidly secured in position by means of suitable spacer members 25. Supported within the stationary collar 23 is a pair of bearings 26 and 27 in which there is journaled a rotatable cylindrical conduit section 28. The bearing 26 abuts against an inwardly projecting annular flange 29 formed at the forward end of the stationary collar 23 and is spaced from the bearing 27 by means of a thrust bearing 30 interposed between the cylindrical section 28 and the stationary collar 23. The 'bearing 27 also abuts against an outwardly extending annular flange 31 formed adjacent the rearward end of the cylindrical section 2 8.

The cylindrical section 28 has a forward portion 32 of reduced outside diameter which extends into the circular opening 21 in the end wall 14, provided with an O-ring 33 forming a seal between the cylindrical section 28 and the end wall 14. It will be noted that the inside diameter of the cylindrical section 28 is the same as the inside diameter of the supply conduit 19. The rearward end of the cylindrical section 28 is provided with a reduced portion 34, which is received within an annular recess 35 in the stationary collar 24. The recess 35 in the stationary collar 24 is provided with a suitable annular groove for receiving an O-ring 36 providing a seal between the cylindrical section 28 and the stationary collar 24.

Provided at the rearward end of the cylindrical section 28 is a prime mover means 37 consisting of four heli-cally shaped impeller blades 38 formed integral with the cylindrical section 28 and extending radially inwardly short of the axis of the cylindrical section 28 to provide an axial opening 39.

The forward end of the stationary collar 24 is formed with an annular portion 40, in which the annular recess 35 is formed and a rearwardly extending annular flange 41 which is axially aligned with and has an inside diameter the same as the cylindrical section 28. Supported within the rearward portion of the collar 24 is a pair of bearings 42 and 43, in which there is journaled a second rotatable cylindrical section 44. The bearing 42 abuts against the rearward surface of the annular portion 40 of the stationary collar 24. The bearing 43 abuts against the forwardly facing annular surface of an annular flange portion 45 formed integral with the cylindrical section 44. The bearings 42 and 43 are maintained in spaced relation by means of a thrust bearing 46, which is inter- Q posed between the stationary collar member 24 and the cylindrical section 44.

The cylindrical section 44 is provided with a forwardly disposed annular recess 47 which receives the rearwardly extending annular flange portion 41 of the stationary collar 24. The flange portion 41 is provided with an O-ring 48 seated in a suitable annular recess to provide a seal between the rearwardly extending annular flange 41 of the stationary collar -24 and the cylindrical section 44. The rearward end of the cylindrical section 44 is provided with a portion 49 having a reduced outside diameter which is received in the circular opening 22 in the end wall 15. The circular section 44 also is sealed from the end wall 15 by means of an O-ring 50 seated in a suitable annular recess in the opening 22.

The inside diameter of the cylindrical section 44 is the same as the inside diameters of the supply conduit 19, the cylindrical section 28, the flange portion 41 of stationary collar 24 and the discharge conduit 20, to provide an unrestricted passageway through the housing of the device. Disposed at the forward end of the cylindrical section 44 is a prime mover means 51 defining a set of impeller blades 52 similar to the blades 38. The blades 52 are formed integral with the cylindrical section 44 and extend radially inwardly short of the axis of the cylindrical section 44 to provide an axial opening 53. The blades 52 are helical in shape and are pitched oppositely at a greater pitch relative to the blades 38, as illustrated in FIGURE 2. In addition, the prime mover means 51 is positioned at a selected distance relative to the prime mover means 37, as will later be described in connection with the operation of the device. It will be noted that the prime mover means 37 and 51 are adapted to be rotated with the cylindrical sections 28 and 44, respectively.

Extending downwardly through the opening in the hub portion 18 of the top wall of the housing is a drive shaft 54, having an axis disposed radially relative to the axis of the cylindrical sections 28 and 44. The drive shaft 54 is journaled in a bearing 55 seated in the opening of the hub portion 18, and which is retained in position by means of a suitable retaining ring 56. The upper end of the opening in hub portion 18 is provided with a sealing element 57, which is disposed between the drive shaft 54 and the hub portion 18. The drive shaft 54 is provided with a splined section 58 adjacent the lower end thereof, on which there is mounted a bevel gear 59. The lower end of the drive shaft 54 is threaded as at 60 for receiving a retainer nut 61. Drive is transmitted to the cylindrical sections 28 and 44 by means of a bevel gear 62 rigidly mounted on the cylindrical section 28 which meshes with the gear 59, and a bevel gear 63 rigidly mounted on the cylindrical section 44 which meshes with the bevel gear 59. It will be appreciated that as drive is applied to the shaft 54 it will be transmitted to the bevel gears 62 and 63 to drive the cylindrical sections 28 and 44 in opposite directions synchronously.

Referring to FIGURE 4, which illustrates a diagrammatic view of the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, when drive is applied to the shaft 54 in FIGURE 2 the direction as illustrated by the arrow, the cylindrical section 28 will rotate in a counterclockwise direction relative to FIGURE 1. As the blades 38 of the prime mover means 37 begin to rotate, fluid entering into the rotating cylindrical section 28 will be propelled by the blades and will emanate from the prime mover means in a swirling path 64 as illustrated in FIGURE 4. The path of the fluid flow emanating from the prime mover means 37 will substantially sinusoidal for several cycles, depending upon the amount of thrust imparted 0n the fluid. The prime mover means 51 is axially displaced relative to the prime mover means 37, so that the prime mover means 51 will be in phase relative to the motion of the fluid flow emanating from the prime mover means 37. When the fluid is intercepted by the oppositely 4 pitched blades 52 of the prime mover means 51 rotating in a direction opposite from the prime mover means 37, the fluid will be flowing substantially parallel to the surfaces of the blades 52 and will receive a thrust from the blades 52 substantially normal to the fluid line of travel to reverse the direction of the swirling fluid flow. In addition, because the blades 52 are disposed at a greater pitch than the blades 38, a greater thrust will be applied to the fluid emanating from the blades 52, so that the fluid assumes the flow pattern illustrated at 65 in FIGURE 4. In essence, by intercepting the flow of fluid from the prime mover means 37 as it flows substantially parallel to the blades 52 and imparting an opposite thrust to the fluid, the back pressure which normally would develop on the pressure side of the prime mover 37 substantially is eliminated and higher pressures and volumes are provided. Also, it will be noted that the axial openings 39 and 53 provided in the prime mover means will permit any foreign matter in the fluid to pass through the device without clogging any of the operating parts. The pitch of blades 38 and the pitch of the blades 52 can be of any selected amount, so long as the pitch of the blades 52 is greater than the pitch of the blades 37. Also, it is important for the proper functioning of the device that the prime mover 51 is positioned in phase relative to the swirling pattern of the fluid flow emanating from the blades of the prime mover 37, that the blades 52 of the prime mover 51 be pitched oppositely from the blades of the prime mover 37 and that the prime mover 51 be rotated in an opposite direction relative to the prime mover 37, synchronously. I

Referring to FIGURE 3 of the drawing, there is illustrated a second embodiment of the invention which is substantially similar to the previously described embodiment, except that alternate drive means are provided for the prime movers. Specifically, the second embodiment provides for a housing 66, consisting of a pair of sections 67 and 68. The section 67 consists of a cylindrical wall 69 having a radially extending connecting flange 70 and a rearwardly extending annular aligning flange 71, and an end wall 72 having a circular opening 73 therein and an inwardly extending hub portion 74. The housing section 68 is substantially similar to the section 69, consisting of a cylindrical wall 75, having a radially extending connecting flange 76 which is adapted to be secured to the flange 70 by means of suitable bolts 77 and an annular recessed portion 78 which is adapted to receive the annular aligning flange 71 of section 69, and an end wall 79 having an opening 80 axially aligned relative to the opening 73 in the end wall 72 of section 67, and an inwardly extending hub portion 81. Within the assembled housing there is provided a stationary mounting member 82 having a circular opening 83 therein. The fluid passage means for this embodiment comprises a supply conduit 84 secured to the end wall of the housing section 67, a rotatable cylindrical section 85 journaled in a bearing 86 seated in a suitable recess in the hub portion 74 of the end wall 72 and a bearing 87 seated in a suitable recess provided in the stationary mounting member 82, the opening 83 provided in the mounting member 82, a second rotatable cylindrical section 88 journaled in a bearing 89 seated in a suitable recess in mounting member 82 and a bearing 90 seated in a suitable recess provided in the hub portion 81 of the end wall 89, and a discharge conduit 91 secured to the wall 79 of housing section 68. The inside diameters of the sections 84, 85, 88 and 91 and the opening 83 are substantially equal to provide an unrestricted flow of the fluid through the device. The cylindrical sections 85 and 88 are provided with prime mover means 92 and 93, which are substantially similar to the prime mover 37 and 51 described in connection with the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2.

Rigidly mounted on the cylindrical sections 85 and 88 are suitable rotor elements 94 and 95 which are disposed in electrically inductive relation with a pair of stators 96 and 97, respectively, mounted on the housing sections 67 and 68, which operate as conventional electric motors to rotate the cylindrical sections 85 and 88. The electrical motors are provided with suitable terminals and controls so that the cylindrical sections 855 and 88 may be driven in opposite directions similar to the operation of the cylindrical sections described with the earlier mentioned embodiment. The rotation of the cylindrical section 85 is synchronized with the opposite rotation of the cylindrical section 88 by means of a pair of bevel gears 98 and 99 suitably mounted on the mounting member 82 which mesh with a bevel gear 100, rigidly secured to the cylindrical section 85, and a bevel gear 101, which similarly is rigidly secured to the cylindrical section 88. It will be appreciated that the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 3 operates in substantially the same manner as the previously described embodiment, the only difference being in the means for driving the cylindrical sections 85 and 88. It further will be appreciated that by the use of conventional electrical control means, the drive applied to the cylindrical sections 85 and 88 can be more accurately controlled.

From the foregoing detailed description it will be evident that there are a number of changes, adaptations and modifications of the present invention which come within the province of those skilled in the art. However, it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A fluid flow device comprising a fluid passage means, a first set of impeller blades rotatably mounted in said passage means, a second set of impeller blades rotatably mounted in said passage means and spaced downstream from said first set of blades in phase relative to the swirling fluid flow emanating from said first set of blades, said second set of blades being pitched oppositely and having a greater pitch relative to said first set of blades and means for rotating said sets of blades in opposite directions synchronously.

2. A fluid flow device comprising a fluid passage means, a first set of impeller blades rotatably mounted in said passage means, a second set of impeller blades rotatably mounted in said passage means and spaced downstream from said first set of blades in phase relative to the swirling fluid flow emanating from said first set of blades, said blades having a helical shape, said second set of blades being pitched oppositely and having a greater pitch relative to said first set of blades and means for rotating said sets of blades in opposite directions synchronously.

3. A fluid flow device comprising a fluid passage means, a first set of impeller blades rotatably mounted in said passage means having an axially disposed passageway, a second set of impeller blades having an axially disposed passageway rotatably mounted in said passage means coaxially relative to said first set of blades, said second set of blades being spaced from said first set of blades in phase relative to the swirling fluid flow emanating from said first set of blades, said second set of blades being pitched oppositely and having a greater pitch relative to said first set of blades and means for rotating said sets of blades in opposite directions synchronously.

4. A fluid flow device comprising a fluid passage means, a first set of impeller blades rotatably mounted in said passage means having an axially disposed passageway, a second set of impeller blades having an axially disposed passageway rotatably mounted in said passage means coaxially relative to said first set of blades, said blades each having a helical shape, said second set of blades being spaced from said first set of blades axially in phase relative to the swirling fluid flow emanating from said first set of blades, said second set of blades being oppositely pitched and having a greater pitch relative to said first set of blades and means for rotating said sets of blades in opposite directions synchronously.

5. A fluid flow device comprising a fluid passage means, a first set of impeller blades rotatably mounted in said passage means, a second set of impeller blades rotatably mounted in said passage means and spaced from said first set of blades in phase relative to the swirling fluid flow emanating from said first set of blades, said second set of blades being pitched oppositely and having a greater pitch relative to said first set of blades and gearing means operatively connected to said sets of impeller blades for rotating the same in opposite directions synchronously.

6. A fluid flow device comprising a housing, first and second coaxially disposed fluid conducting means rotatably mounted in said housing, a first set of impeller blades mounted in said first fluid conducting means for rotation therewith, a second set of impeller blades mounted in said second fluid conducting means for rotation therewith, said second set of blades being spaced from said first set of blades in phase relative to the swirling fluid flow emanating from said first set of blades, said second set of blades being pitched oppositely and having a greater pitch relative to said first set of blades, means for sealing the interior of said fluid conducting means from said housing, said fl-ui-d conducting means each having a bevel gear rigidly mounted thereon, a drive shaft journaled in said housing and a bevel gear mounted on said drive shaft meshing with said bevel gears mounted on said sleeves for driving the same in opposite directions synchronously.

7. A fluid flow device comprising a housing, first and second coaxially disposed cylindrical members rotatably mounted in said housing for conducting fluid therethrough, a first set of impeller blades mounted in said first cylindrical member for rotation therewith, a second set of impeller blades mountedin said second cylindrical member for rotation therewith, said second set of blades being spaced from said first set of blades in phase relative to the swirling fluid flow emanating from said first set of blades, said blades each having a helical shape, said second set of blades being pitched oppositely and having a greater pitch relative to said first set of blades, means for sealing the interior of said cylindrical members from said housing, said cylindrical members each having a bevel gear rigidly mounted thereon, a drive shaft journal'ed in said housing and a bevel gear mounted on said drive shaft meshing with said bevel gears mounted on said sleeves for driving the same in opposite directions synchronously.

8. A fluid flow device comprising a housing, first and second coaxially disposed cylindrical members rotatably mounted in said housing for conducting a fluid therethrough, a first set of impeller blades mounted in said first cylindrical member for rotation therewith, a second set of impeller blades mounted in said second cylindrical member for rotation therewith, said sets of blades having coaxially disposed passageways, said second set of blades being spaced from said first set of blades in phase relative to the swirling fluid flow emanating from said first set of blades, said second set of blades being pitched oppositely and having a greater pitch relative to said first set of blades, means for sealing the interior of said cylindrical members from said housing, said cylindrical members each having a bevel gear rigidly mounted thereon, a drive shaft journaled in said housing and a bevel gear mounted on said drive shaft meshing with said bevel gears mounted on said sleeves for driving the same in opposite directions synchronously.

9. A fluid flow device comprising a housing, first and second coaxi-ally disposed cylindrical members rotatably mounted in said housing in end to end relation, a first set of impeller blades mounted in said first cylindrical member for rotation therewith, a second set of impeller blades mounted on said second cylinder for rotation therewith, said sets of impeller blades having coaxial openings therein, said blades each having a helical shape,

said second set of blades being spaced from said first set of blades in phase relative to the swirling fluid flow emanating from said first set of blades, said second set of blades being pitched oppositely and having a greater width relative to said first set of blades, means for sealing the interior of said cylindrical members from said housing, said cylindrical members each having a bev'elgear rigidly mounted thereon, a drive shaft journaled in said housing having a bevel gear mounted on said drive shaft meshing with said bevel gears mounted on said sleeves for driving the same in opposite directions synchronously.

10. A fluid flow device comprising :a fluid passage means, a first set of impeller blades rotatably mounted in said fluid passage means, a second set of impeller blades rotatably mounted in said passage means :and spaced downstream from said first set of blades in phase relative to the swirling fluid flow emanating from said first set of blades, said second set of blades being pitched oppositely and having a greater pitch relative to said first set of blades and electrical drive means operatively connected to said sets of impeller blades for rotating the same in opposite directions synchronously.

11. A fluid flow device comprising a housing, first and second coaxially disposed fluid conducting means rotatably mounted in said housing, a first set of impeller blades mounted in said first fluid conducting means for rotation therewith, a second set of impeller blades mounted in said second fluid conducting means for rotation therewith, said second set of blades being spaced from said first set of blades in phase relative to the swirling fluid flow emanating from said first set of blades, said second set of blades being pitched oppositely and having a greater pitch relative to said first set of blades, means for sealing the interior of said fluid conducting means from said housing, said fluid conducting means each having rotor means mounted thereon, stator means mounted on said housing .and disposed in electrically inductive relation with said rotor means for driving said fluid conducting means in opposite directions and means operatively connected to said first and second fluid conducting means for synchronizing the drive thereof.

12. A fluid flow device comprising a housing, first and second coaxially disposed cylindrical members rotatably mounted in said housing for conducting fluid therethrough, a first set of impeller blades mounted in said first cylindrical member for rotation therewith, a second set of impeller blades mounted in said second cylindrical member for rotation therewith, said second set of blades being spaced from said first set of blades in phase relative to the swirling fluid flow emanating from said first set of blades, said blades each having a helical shape, said second set of blades being pitched oppositely and having a greater pitch relative to said first set of blades, means for sealing the interior of said cylindrical members from said housing, said cylindrical members each having a rotor rigidly mounted thereon, said housing having stators mounted thereon disposed in electrical- 1y inductive relation with said rotors for driving the same in opposite directions and means operatively connected to said first and second cylindrical members for synchronizing the drive thereof.

13. A fluid flow device comprising a housing, first and second coaxially disposed cylindrical members rotatably mounted in said housing for conducting a fluid therethrough, a first set of impeller blades mounted in said first cylindrical member for rotation therewith, a second set of impeller blades mounted in said second cylindrical member for rotation therewith, said sets of blades having coaxially disposed passageways, said second set of blades being spaced from said first set of blades in phase relative to the swirling fluid flow emanating from said first set of blades, said second set of blades being pitched oppositely and having a greater pitch relative to said first set of blades, means for sealing the interior of said cylindrical members from said housing, said cylindrical members each having an electrical rotor rigidly mounted thereon, said housing having stators mounted thereon disposed in electrically inductive relation with said rotors for driving the same in opposite directions and means operatively connected to said first and second cylindrical members for synchronizing the drive thereof.

14. A fluid flow device comprising a housing, first and second coaxially disposed cylindrical members rotat-ably mounted in said housing in end to end relation, a first set of impeller blades mounted in said first cylindrical member for rotation therewith, a second set of impeller blades mounted on said second cylinder for rotation therewith, said sets of impeller blades having coaxial openings therein, said blades each having a helical shape, said second set of blades being spaced from said first set of blades in phase relative to the cylindrical fluid flow emanating from said first set of blades, said second set of blades being pitched oppositely and having a greater width relative to said first set of blades, means for sealing the interior of said cylindrical members from said housing, said cylindrical members each having a rotor rigidly mounted thereon, said housing having stators mounted thereon and surrounding said rotors in electrically inductive relation therewith for driving said cylindrical members in opposite directions, each of said cylindrical members having a bevel gear mounted thereon, a third bevel gear having a shaft mounted in said housing meshing with said bevel gears mounted on said cylindrical members for synchronizing the drive of said cylindrical members.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,071,042 8/1913 Fuller 10387 1,972,780 9/1934 Laskowitz l03-87 2,470,794 5/1949 Snyder 103-87 2,500,400 3/1950 Cogswell 10387 3,083,893 4/1963 Dean 230123 X ROBERT M. WALKER, Primary Examiner. 

10. A FLUID FLOW DEVICE COMPRISING A FLUID PASSAGE MEANS, A FIRST SET OF IMPELLER BLADES ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN SAID FLUID PASSAGE MEANS, A SECOND SET OF IMPELLER BLADES ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN SAID PASSAGE MEANS AND SPACED DOWNSTREAM FROM SAID FIRST SET OF BLADES IN PHASE RELATIVE TO THE SWIRLING FLUID FLOW EMANATING FROM SAID FIRST SET OF BLADES, SAID SECOND SET OF BLADES BEING PITCHED OPPOSITELY AND HAVING A GREATER PITCH RELATIVE TO SAID FIRST SET OF BLADES AND ELECTRICAL DRIVE MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID SETS OF IMPELLER BLADES FOR ROTATING THE SAME IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS SYNCHRONOUSLY. 